Letter: Writer challenges Layne on Jews and Holy Land

Thursday

Aug 9, 2012 at 12:01 AMAug 9, 2012 at 8:16 AM

Joseph Martin, McPherson

Robert Layne’s article, “Layne: Mitt Romney stay home,” from Saturday, Aug. 4, deserves much admonishing; however, space could not allow for an exhaustive response.
To begin, the Jews do not have a myopic, nor a self-serving, reading of Scripture in regards to their rights to the land, but rather a submissive and humble approach to what God has said.
For the land was promised to them by God (Genesis 12:1-3). Moreover, it was given to them as an unconditional promise, which is irrevocable (Galatians 3:13-18). Second, Jesus Christ did come to fulfill the Old Testament, but “fulfill” cannot mean “abolish,” as Layne incorrectly implies (Matthew 5:17). Third, all humanity is given the common grace of God by being created in His image (James 3:9), but not all humanity was embraced in the saving grace of God, for only those who believe in Jesus Christ receive the promise (Galatians 3:22), as well as the right to become a child of God (John 1:12).
Fourth, for a Christian to hypothetically argue that the Native Americans could claim a right to North America as a contrast to the Jews’ own claim to the Holy Land is duplicity.
A Christian loves the Scriptures (1 Peter 2:2-3), and knows that what God has said is perfect, sure, right, pure, clean, and true (Psalm 19:7-9). Layne theoretically suggests other sources of truth besides the Scriptures, which is inconsistent for a Christian.
I must end on a conditional agreement. If and only if, Mitt Romney said xenophobic or racial comments against the Palestinians, then I am saddened.
For I agree with Layne that the Jews are not superior socially or culturally. They are God’s chosen people not because of any of their own goodness or might, but because of God’s own goodness, might, and love (Deuteronomy 7:7-9).